The 33,000 members of the SOCE (Arts et Métiers Alumni) play an important role in student life. The SOCE was created in 1846, and is the biggest circle of engineers in Europe. Despite the society’s complete independent from the school, joint ventures for research projects and feedback discussions are frequent. Members help students start their career by identifying specific jobs and internships. They also give some financial support for special needs (entrepreneurship, fees for a foreign country, etc.). The link between the SOCE and the Unions des Elèves is strong; alumni act as mentors but also as friends of the students.